Bachelor of Arts in First Nations Studies

at University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) - Prince George Campus Canada

Northern and Rural Community Planning is the application of planning principles and practices to the often unique social, economic, and ecological issues confronting northern and circumpolar communities. Many of the principles and skills you learn will prepare you to work in communities large and small in different regions and countries. 

Our degree provides you with a thorough understanding specific to the unique planning requirements of those communities while developing practical knowledge to address those issues. You will study both physical and social science knowledge as it relates to community planning, and develop an understanding of the relationship between northern communities and surrounding rural resource regions.

Through experiential learning, gain experience in applying your learning to designing and creating policy that is appropriate and responsive to northern and rural community needs. 

Chemistry
Chemistry is a fundamental science dealing with the nature of substances and the changes they undergo. Considered the “central science,” you will take courses in organic, inorganic, physical, and analytical chemistry along with math, physics and biology. 

Physics
Physics is the study of nature at its most fundamental level. As such, it is the science upon which all other sciences and technologies are based. Because it is so basic, a major in physics is ideal preparation, not only for further study in physics, but also for advanced study in such diverse fields as biophysics, medicine, astrophysics, chemical physics, engineering, meteorology, and computer science.

The Bachelor of Health Sciences degree is a four-year program consisting of a range of courses that relate directly to the science of health, in the recognition that health is a complex entity defying a simple explanation or a single disciplinary perspective.  The courses identified within the School of Health Sciences offer learning opportunities from a variety of disciplines, including the life sciences, social sciences, behavioural sciences, and ethics and law, to enable students to develop a body of knowledge and understanding relating to the dimensions of health.  Some of these courses are considered to be ‘core’ and therefore central to the basic understandings of health, while others offer the student opportunities to learn about a specific health perspective that is focused on one of three Majors:

1. Biomedical Studies,
2. Community and Population Health-Environmental Health, or,
3. Community and Population Health-Aboriginal and Rural Health.

Graduation from either of the Community and Population Health Majors enables students to embark on careers or graduate programs related to health care management, administration, information systems or public health.

Students pursuing the Biomedical Studies Major are required to complete a set of courses that enables them to be prepared for application to professional programs such as medicine, nursing, pharmacy, occupational therapy, dentistry, speech pathology or physiotherapy.  This major provides a foundational, multidisciplinary knowledge base that is focused on the natural,  physical, and social sciences, and includes population health and research methodology. Students interested in other fields requiring extensive biomedical laboratory skills may enroll in the degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BCMB).

Tourism has become the largest industry and employer in the world.  One of the most important and fastest growing sectors in tourism is nature-based tourism, which comprises attractions, activities and experiences involving interaction with natural and cultural resources (e.g., ecotourism, adventure tourism, indigenous tourism).  This degree examines the various components of the nature-based tourism system, giving emphasis to the entrepreneurial perspectives and sustainability issues in the industry.  Reflecting the interdisciplinarity of the field, and related career directions, students select from the following Areas of Specialization: marketing and entrepreneurship, outdoor education and leadership, indigenous/cultural tourism, or environment and society.

The MBA is recognized worldwide as the hallmark of the management professional.  Graduates of the UNBC MBA program develop a well-rounded understanding of the skills needed by leaders of private and public sector organizations, and the challenges facing enterprises in general, and northern ones in particular.

The program is designed to allow professionals to complete their degree within two years while continuing to work full-time.  During the first year of the program, students are introduced to the major disciplinary areas within the field of business, including strategy, economics, accounting, finance, organizational behaviour, marketing, and operations management.  This part of the program builds the broad base of knowledge and skills required by senior management. 

During the second year of the program, students gain a broad understanding of the global, legal and ethical environment in which organizations operate, and of the challenges facing organizations.  In the context of northern British Columbia, there are economic, social, and environmental challenges confronting small and rural communities participating in a resource-based economy.  Through the development of leadership and management capabilities, the MBA Program helps communities and organizations achieve sustainable success and prosperity in a changing and complex world.  

Course participants have the opportunity to focus on individual interests during the MBA Project.  Working under the supervision of a faculty member, students complete a major research project, applying relevant theory to the study of a substantial organizational problem or issue.

The MBA program course work normally includes work assessed on an individual and group basis.  Enterprise problems are seldom completely resolved through individual effort, and group work reinforces and enhances individual ability to work within multi-disciplinary teams.

Students come to the MBA program with diverse backgrounds, a range of social and cultural perspectives, and different industry and business experiences. The MBA program encourages this diversity as it fosters a rich learning environment.

Geography studies the cultural, social, economic, and political connections between people and their environment.
Examine the factors that shape the complex relationship between human societies and the built and natural landscape. Prepare for career opportunities in community development, land and resource management, or continue your graduate studies.

Explore the cause and effect of critical events throughout history such as warfare, activism, exploration, culture and science.

Historians study what people have thought, said, and done in the past. You will learn to think critically about the historical processes that shape the present. As a history major, you will develop the knowledge needed to pursue careers in law, education, journalism, civil service, politics, museum and library archives, or post-secondary professorship.

Program Details
This degree draws on almost every time period, theory and geographical space. Choose from a variety of subjects, including the record of First Nations in Canada, women in European medieval society, and history of law, or delve into religious, race and economic issues that span global borders.

Our faculty bring a mix of methodologies to their instruction—you are encouraged to follow your personal interests in course selection and independent research. The department offers specialized courses in the history of law, crime and punishment.

Learn to be an effective agent of environmental, sustainability and social innovation as you promote the mitigation of, and/or adaptation to, environmental and sustainability challenges. A degree in Environmental and Sustainability Studies leads to a rewarding career in sectors such as government, Indigenous government and agencies, the non-profit sector, law (with additional training), international development, environmental consulting, environmental health and more.

Program Details
Study the natural environment, societal challenges and sustainable solutions to environmental and sustainability challenges, surrounded by the spectacular natural environment of UNBC.

Explore the social science and humanities perspective on environmental and sustainability issues. Study the concepts of environmental citizenship, societal relationships with ecology, sustainability initiatives such as carbon management and energy, global perspectives and more. 

First Nations Studies takes the points of view of First Nations people and communities as the starting point for description and analysis, and contextualizes issues from this perspective. Courses in First Nations Studies will re-orient students to question the underlying assumptions of everyday understanding and will develop clarity in thought and presentation critical to advanced study.

First Nations Studies is a valuable part of any good undergraduate education in the contemporary world; it is an appropriate undergraduate major for students aspiring to careers in education, business, public administration, law, communications, cultural property management, social services, health care delivery and administration, and many other fields. With an undergraduate major in First Nations Studies students may apply for admission to graduate programs in several academic disciplines, and to many professional programs. Students intending to apply for graduate or professional programs should ensure that their programs include all required prerequisites.

Finance involves evaluating profitability and valuing real investments such as capital projects, as well as financial securities such as stocks, bonds, options and futures. In addition to the study of sources of capital and financing decisions of the firm and individual investors, the Finance major also studies the management of financial institutions such as banks and trust companies. The tools of Finance are used by small and large firms, government and individual investors. Instruction in Finance provides valuable information regarding financing and evaluating investment opportunities to students planning to enter into business for themselves. Government and firms employ Finance majors as financial analysts as well as in general management positions. In addition, the financial services industry is one of the fastest growing industries in Canada. Individuals interested in positions in the financial sector, or pursuing either the Chartered Financial Planner (CFP) or Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designations, or completing the Canadian Securities Course (CSC), should consider majoring in Finance.